All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

Mourners in Majer, Libya in 2011 following a NATO airstrike which killed at least 34 civilians, according to multiple reports. Image courtesy of Sidney Kwiram/ Human Rights Watch

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

April 30, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-082

LOCATION

جالو, Jallo Oasis, Al Wahat, Libya

On April 30th, 2011, Gaddafi forces entered the Jallo Oasis, reportedly killing six civilians and four rebels. According to Agence France-Presse, 66 cars arrived from the south of the Oasis, killing one civilian at a bakery and five more civilian workers during the attack. Al Jazeera quoted a rebel spokesman, also describing the six civilian

Summary

First published
April 30, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Gaddafi Forces
Suspected target
Other
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

September 25, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-189

LOCATION

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya

One child was killed by Rebel forces artillery shelling and its mother injured in Sirte, according to the UN. The report said: “Family members interviewed by the Commission stated that a female relative was injured by shrapnel, and her infant daughter was killed, when her home in Hay al-Dollar was hit by Grad rockets in

Summary

First published
September 30, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 20, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-043

LOCATION

البوابة الرشقية ألجدابيا, Petrol station in the vicinity Eastern gate of Ajdabiya, Al Wahat, Libya

On February 22nd, 2011, unknown actors killed one civilian and injured another near Ajdabiya, both of the al-Sheikhi family. Ruqaya ‘Abdelghani al-Sheikhi, a 34 year old teacher, was shot and died after being taken to the hospital. Amnesty states “it has not always been possible to establish whether the people killed or injured were deliberately

Summary

First published
March 20, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

November 13, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-215

LOCATION

سرت‎, Sirte, Surt, Libya

Between three and five men were killed in Sirte on November 13, 2011 when they were executed by rebels. A video posted by Echorouk Online on YouTube shows the bodied of at least three dead men and many others with weapons surrounding them.

Summary

First published
November 13, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(3–5 men)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Libyan rebel forces
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2018

Incident Code

LQ067

LOCATION

أم الأرانب, Umm Al Aranib, Murzuq, Libya

Tebu Channel reported indiscriminate LNA shelling of a residential neighbourhood in Umm al Aranib without civilian harm: “[…] and shelled into residential neighbourhoods but no human damage, not reported by the media on the grounds that the bombing targeted rallies of the Chadian opposition, media liar.”

Summary

First published
June 3, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

March 18, 2016

Incident Code

LQ027

LOCATION

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

In a separate incident to LC027, the LNA reported that it targeted ‘terrorist operation rooms’ with MiG-21s and MiG-23s in Qawarsheh. It also said it sunk two rafts 150 West of Benghazi at 22:45 and a vessel at 03:25. At 04:55 another vessel was reportedly targeted and destroyed.

Summary

First published
March 18, 2016
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Confirmed
A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2015

Incident Code

LQ008

LOCATION

بنغازي‎, port, Benghazi, Libya

Several sources reported LNA planes hitting two boats allegedly belonging to Ansar Al-Sharia loaded with weapons and ammunition. One of the boats sunk, the other one was damaged. Several outlets including Iran Arabic Radio and Sputnik Arabic reported comments from an LNA spokesperson, who said the attacks targeted two ships, both carrying weapons. Air Force

Summary

First published
July 19, 2015
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

September 15, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-162

LOCATION

الحي رقم 2, Neighbourhood No 2, Surt, Libya

Between 30 and 64 civilians were allegedly killed in a NATO airstrike on neighbourhood No 2 in Sirte. Mustafa Al Fitouri wrote in his book, naming 46 civilians: “The seventh air strike took place in Sirte on 15th September at 7pm where the warplanes targeted a gathering of civilian vehicles inside and near it a

Summary

First published
September 15, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
30 – 64
(2 children4 women27 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Known belligerent
NATO forces
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
Named victims
64 named, 3 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

September 27, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-184

LOCATION

سرت, Sirte, Surt, Libya

Various sources reported that a woman was killed and a child lost his eyesight due to injures by NATO attack in Sirte, in September 27th 2011. Sadikat al Qa’ed comment on Nour Al-Din Nasser Al Zanki Facebook post stated that a child with the woman suffered injures; however, it is unclear if he was the

Summary

First published
September 27, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Known belligerent
NATO forces
Known target
Gaddafi forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 18, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-110

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

One woman was reported killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on Misurata. Alia Libya said: “Twelve rockets fell on Saturday morning, June 18, in the eastern neighborhoods of the city of Misurata, and no civilian casualties were reported.” Shorouk News, however, noted: “A missile attack on the same area yesterday killed a woman in her

Summary

First published
June 18, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Gaddafi Forces
Suspected targets
Libyan rebel forces, Other
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-001

LOCATION

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

In one of the first mass casualty events of the 2011 Libya uprising,  Amnesty International reported 59 civilians injured on February 15th as a result of demonstrations in Benghazi against Gaddafi forces. The demonstrations lasted until the end of February 16th. Amnesty International stated that “protesters [were] reportedly assaulted by members of the police, riot

Summary

First published
February 15, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
59
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Gaddafi Forces
Suspected target
Other
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-143

LOCATION

كوبرى الهضبة الشرقية , Eastern Hill Bridge, Tarabulus, Libya

Between 60 and 72 people were killed near the Eastern Hill Bridge on a highway in Tripoli by Gaddafi forces on August 21, 2011 according to multiple posts and videos, including Gharyan Radio and Libyan People Youtube. A video posted by Wasat Al Bilad shows multiple men with guns blocking a road and interacting with

Summary

First published
August 21, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
60 – 72
(2 men)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
Named victims
2 named
View Incident